Does my pet fish have a personality? Measuring introversion and extroversion in adult zebrafish
Abstract
Personality traits, such as extraversion/introversion, express an individual's energy to engage within a social group. Extroversion and introversion can be seen as a spectrum of individuals' responses to different social settings/groups. Yet there is no clear assessment to define the spectrum of introversion and extroversion. Therefore, this study aims to measure extroversion/introversion traits in zebrafish behavior when exposed to a social environment. Adult male and female zebrafish are randomly selected (n=15) from housing tanks. After selection, the degree of extroversion/introversion is measured using a social preference methodology in a t-maze tank. The experimental fish is placed at one end of the tank for a 5-minute acclimation and is released to the rest of the tank with both ends of the tank containing different groups of fish. The fish are recorded for 30 seconds and acclimated to the novel environment for 5 minutes. After acclimation, the fish is exposed to the rest of the tank with both ends containing different groups of fish ranging from 2 - 5. The fish are recorded twice and in between videos, the group of fish is switched on both ends of the tank. The strength of the introvert or extrovert (E/I) personality type is based on the time spent in the small, large, or none group of fish, known as the region of interest (ROI). Results are expected to show that extroverts will spend more time with the larger group of fish, whereas introverts will spend more time with less or no group of fish. The distribution of time spent in the ROI will be reflective of a spectrum of the strength of the E/I personality scale when exposed to a social environment. The relevance of this study gives an understanding of how the environment interacts with personality and provides evidence for the viability of the zebrafish as a model for understanding the impacts of environment shaping personality. Understanding the spectrum of personality can help characterize the way people’s minds fluctuate and adapt in different social environments.
Does my pet fish have a personality? Measuring introversion and extroversion in adult zebrafish
Personality traits, such as extraversion/introversion, express an individual's energy to engage within a social group. Extroversion and introversion can be seen as a spectrum of individuals' responses to different social settings/groups. Yet there is no clear assessment to define the spectrum of introversion and extroversion. Therefore, this study aims to measure extroversion/introversion traits in zebrafish behavior when exposed to a social environment. Adult male and female zebrafish are randomly selected (n=15) from housing tanks. After selection, the degree of extroversion/introversion is measured using a social preference methodology in a t-maze tank. The experimental fish is placed at one end of the tank for a 5-minute acclimation and is released to the rest of the tank with both ends of the tank containing different groups of fish. The fish are recorded for 30 seconds and acclimated to the novel environment for 5 minutes. After acclimation, the fish is exposed to the rest of the tank with both ends containing different groups of fish ranging from 2 - 5. The fish are recorded twice and in between videos, the group of fish is switched on both ends of the tank. The strength of the introvert or extrovert (E/I) personality type is based on the time spent in the small, large, or none group of fish, known as the region of interest (ROI). Results are expected to show that extroverts will spend more time with the larger group of fish, whereas introverts will spend more time with less or no group of fish. The distribution of time spent in the ROI will be reflective of a spectrum of the strength of the E/I personality scale when exposed to a social environment. The relevance of this study gives an understanding of how the environment interacts with personality and provides evidence for the viability of the zebrafish as a model for understanding the impacts of environment shaping personality. Understanding the spectrum of personality can help characterize the way people’s minds fluctuate and adapt in different social environments.